WATCH: Mrs SA finalist inspires young women to take charge

Lungi Dlamini Hlatshwayo, the Schwarzkopf Professional Mrs South Africa finalist from Lyndhurst, said she wants to inspire young girls and women to take ownership of their lives.

Hlatshwayo said the pageant is a women empowerment programme which gives individuals like her opportunities to find their true purpose in life. “I aspire to inspire young girls to take charge of their own lives at a very young age, to have standards, know their worth so as to avoid being exploited because of circumstances,” Hlatshwayo said.

WATCH: Lungi Dlamini Hlatshwayo, Schwarzkopf Professional Mrs South Africa finalist who inspires young women.

Mrs South Africa is the number-one pageant for married women in South Africa and is seen as an empowering programme, not just a beauty pageant in the traditional sense of the word.

Hlatshwayo, who is a businesswoman, has a personal interest in the environment and would love to join hands with other people who are trying to make South Africa an environmental-friendly country.

“I am also working closely with Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and will run a Cuppa for Cancer event soon to raise money to support those that are affected by it,” said Hlatshwayo.

Working closely with the association to raise funds to make a difference in other people’s lives has had a huge impact on her journey so far. “You get to see how privileged you are that you actually don’t have cancer.”

As a married woman and mother of two, Uminathi (5) and Culelihle (1), Hlatshwayo said she wants to also motivate married women, with or without children, to also take charge of their lives and enjoy married life. “[Life is] not meant to end when we tie the knot, we can all be married, sophisticated and beautiful in our marriages,” she added.

The 30-year-old is currently doing her final year in marketing studies at the University of South Africa and said the pageant has helped her rediscover herself and is grateful and excited for the journey that lies ahead.

The top 25 finalists will embark on a journey of fundraising, networking and self-development until the final round of judging to name the Schwarzkopf Professional Mrs South Africa 2017 in October this year at Emperors Palace.

To vote for Hlatshwayo, like the Mrs South Africa Facebook page and the original picture of Lungi Dlamini Hlatshwayo. Also like her Facebook page: Lungi Dlamini Hlatshwayo.

Details: Facebook Lungi Dlamini Hlatshwayo